ATTRACTIVE VISITORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21994, 1 July 1933, Page 10

ATTRACTIVE VISITORS

It would be strange indeed if New Zealand people were not interested in bird life. They come, for the most part, of a stock which has traditionally a great affection for all kinds of birds, and particularly for the little, insignificant creatures which dwellers in warmer climes might hold in contempt. It was, legend at least has it, the keenness of the desire of the early settlers in this country for the sight and sound of the gregarious sparrow tjiat caused the. introduction of that pert, impudent exotic to New Zealand. Many other birds have been brought into this land, some to assuage the craving of human migrants for the company of familiar friends, some for 'the .good it was believed they might do in the elimination of pests, some for the satisfaction of the hunter’s skill and stomach. But even if the New Zealand pioneers had not carried with them an inherent interest in birds, later generations of New Zealanders would be, unresponsive indeed to their surroundings if they had not answered to the charm of the natives of our bush. Irrespective of the most spectacular of all the birds indigenous to these islands, the prodigious moa, which’ could appeal, perhaps, only in the way that a brontosaurus, discovered in the Serpentine, might—as an interesting but somewhat embarrassing survival —this country is most happily endowed with attractive bird life. Some > native birds endear themselves through their beautiful if unostentatious plumage, others are skilful choristers, yet others justify their existence by their diligent destruction of insects. All, it may be said, have their claim upon the affection of the New Zealander, both for their charm and for the work they do. It should not be forgotten that a country without bird life would be a country bare of flowers and plants. And if the birds of New Zealand are held in regard by the people of New Zealand, it is only right that the debt should be acknowledged. A correspondent wrote recently with regard to the success of a friend in a Dunedin suburb in attracting birds to his property by winter Two additional letters which are printed in this issue are expressive of the pleasure derived by other residents in making their gardens rendezvous and, it might be said, bird restaurants. It is not only gratifying but a trifle suipiising to learn of the establishment of a cheerful variety of eleven species of birds as casual or regular visitors in a garden a stone’s throw from the heart of the city. It is also encouraging to know that they can be so easily wooed from the bush. The expenditure required in thus encouraging birds to one’s garden is inconsiderable, when measured against the joy that the visits of the birds may bring and the knowledge that a service is being performed that is well worth the doing. It should not be too much to hope that many other people will emulate the example of those who are giving hospitality to the birds during the winter months. . They are not likely to find the service uncongenial.